Heavy snowfall in the Alps may save the ski season.
Heavy snowfall will bless the Alps this weekend in a much-needed boost for skiers after record-breaking warm weather turned pistes into more or less green fields.
Snow-free terrain in some parts of the Alps, such as in Switzerland leading up to the World Cup, and the Pyrenees have seen winter sports enthusiasts either heading for new pastures (no pun intended) or ditching their skis in favor of other activities such as horse riding or mountain biking or beach holidays.
Snow situation in France
In France, only Puy St Vincent has reported more than 2m of snow on the summit and has 95 per cent of its slopes open.
High-lying Val Thorens has not been spared.
However, that looks set to change from this weekend (2nd weekend of January 2023), with experts predicting heavy snowfall across much of the Alps.
"After another dry and mostly fine day tomorrow, the long-awaited storm will hit the Alps on Sunday and/or Monday, bringing snow to all regions in varying amounts," said Alpine weather expert Fraser Wilkin.
Now there will be 20-40 cm in the Alps. It is incredibly welcome
“Between 20-40cm is expected above 1800m by the end of Monday across a wide swath of the Alps, with 50cm+ in some places where the heaviest snow will generally fall high up in the northern French Alps.
“The snow from this storm probably won't be enough to get the lower areas of the north-western Alps that have lost most or all of their snow (eg Samoëns, Les Gets) back on track, but it's a start. "
Some popular resorts such as Tignes and Courcheval are higher up and have therefore escaped the worst of the lack of snow, with many pistes already open. Both are expecting to see snowfall over the weekend.
In Chamonix, at the base of Mont Blanc, “heavy” snowfall is expected throughout Sunday and Monday, bringing joy to skiers.
More "moderate" snowfall is expected in the French resort of Avoriaz, where heavier snow is expected on Monday.
Moderate snowfall is also expected over the weekend in some Swiss resorts such as St. Moritz, close to the border with Italy.
France experienced its warmest winter weather since 1997 and eight other European countries hit record highs for the first week of January. Rain has also played a role in the snowmelt. In Denmark, you swim around in water everywhere.
The skiing situation in Switzerland?
The Swiss Alps have seen temperatures that locals have commented are closer to what would be expected in June.
The Splügen-Tambo resort closed on Monday with the message: “Due to the lack of snow, the heavy rainfall and high temperatures, we have to close our ski resort for the time being. It is no longer possible for us to prepare the slopes because we have too much water. . . and the snow does not freeze at night.”
Fraser Wilkin, of Alpine tour operator Snow Wise, said: "Things are looking pretty desperate in lower north-west resorts such as Morzine, Megève, La Clusaz, Villars and Gstaad."
However, France is set to be the biggest recipient of the amount of snow that will fall in the coming days. About 30-60 cm has been forecast for the mountains.
Can Austria handle the exemption?
In Austria, where the snow has been preserved enough to form thin paths on otherwise barren hillsides, around 10-30cm of snow is forecast - with colder conditions on the way.
Does Italy have enough snow?
And although Italy is the least needy, it will benefit from an extra portion of around 20-40 cm. The high places like Livigno are more or less ok, but several places in the Dolomites look legitimately green.
🎬 Watch the journey on film — 365 ways to travel the world Watch our film →